Faculty

Internationally known as both a mediator and trainer of mediators, Zena D. Zumeta is president of the Mediation Training & Consultation Institute, Zena Zumeta Mediation Services, and The Collaborative Workplace in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. Ms. Zumeta is a former board member and president of the Academy of Family Mediators (now merged into the Association for Conflict Resolution), past president of the Michigan Council for Family and Divorce Mediation, and past Regional Vice President of the Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution. She is a member of the Editorial Board of the American Bar Association's Dispute Resolution Magazine.

Ms. Zumeta has extensive experience as a trainer, mediator, facilitator and consultant. She has been providing mediation services since 1981.

She is an approved civil and family mediator in Michigan, and an approved mediation trainer for Michigan and many other states. She has taught at Hamline University School of Law and is an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University School of Law's Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, and Cooley Law School.

Ms. Zumeta is the recipient of the Family Mediation Council-Michigan Liftetime Achievement in Mediation Award; the National Education Association/Saturn Corporation Award for Union-Management Collaboration; the John Haynes Distinguished Mediator Award from the Association for Conflict Resolution; and the Kumba Award from the National Conference on Minorities in ADR.

Darlene Ray‐Johnson, M.A., is a seasoned dispute resolution professional with over 18 years of experience providing mediation, restorative practices, social justice mediation, conflict coaching, and dispute resolution services. Since 2005, she has dedicated her career to fostering constructive dialogue and conflict resolution in academic and organizational settings.

Darlene served as a Dispute Resolution Officer at the University of Michigan Rackham Graduate School for 22 years, where she oversaw conflict management services involving faculty, staff, and graduate students. In addition to her formal role, she provided over 100 hours of mediation services as a volunteer mediator for University staff. She now leverages her extensive expertise as a private organizational consultant, helping institutions navigate complex conflicts and enhance their dispute resolution frameworks.

Alternative dispute resolution education including:

• SCAO approved Civil Mediation Training (40 hours)
• The International Ombuds Association’s Foundations of the Organizational Ombuds course
• Conflict Coaching with Tricia Jones, CEO of Conflict Coaching Matters, LLC
• Difficult Conversations (30 hours)
• Social Justice Mediation (40 hours)
• Restorative Justice course at the University of San Diego Center for Restorative Justice

She has been an active member of the Association of Conflict Resolution for 15 years, demonstrating her commitment to the field.

Darlene’s contributions have been recognized through several professional honors, including:

• University of Michigan Distinguished Diversity Leaders Award
• Woman of the Year Leadership Award by the University of Michigan Women of Color Task Force
• Council for Disability Concerns Certificate of      Appreciation for promoting equal opportunities for people with disabilities at the University of Michigan

She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and College Student Personnel Administration from Western Michigan University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Eastern Michigan University.

With her extensive background in mediation and conflict resolution, Darlene Ray‐Johnson continues to be a trusted resource for organizations seeking to build more inclusive and effective dispute resolution practices.